Brush and rug scrubber

ABSTRACT

This specification discloses a brush and rug scrubber comprising a mounting plate having two guide rods secured to the underside of the plate in spaced relation relative thereto and parallel to each other. A pair of brushes are slidably mounted on the guide rods with the latter being received in passages in the brushes. A compression coil spring is positioned in each passage about a guide rod and the springs urge the brushes toward one another. A motor is mounted on the upper face of the plate and has a vertical drive shaft extending through a central opening in the plate. Drivably mounted on the lower end of the shaft is an arm having rollers rotatably mounted on its ends and in engagement with the backs of the brushes. As the shaft rotates, the brushes are moved apart against the influence of the springs and towards one another by the springs. Thus, the brushes reciprocate. Provision is also made for feeding detergent to the bristles of the brushes.

Wesemann 1 Aug. 22, 1972 1 BRUSH AND RUG SCRUBBER [72] Inventor: Eed A. Wesemann,

Beach, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Consolidated Products Incorporated,

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

22 Filed: Jan. 29, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 111,018

Pompano [52] US. Cl. ..15/50 R, 15/22 R, 51/175 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47l 11/03, A471 11/12 [58] Field of Search 15/22 R, 22 A, 49 R, 49 RB,

15/50 R, 98, 97; 51/170 TL, 175

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,472,208 10/1923 Dawer ..15/22 A UX FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 864,218 l/1953 Germany ..15/49 R 656,316 8/1951 Great Britain ..51/170 TL 1,068,427 5/1967 Great Britain ..15/22 R Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Attorney-Schellin & Hoffman ABSTRACT .This specification discloses a brush and rug scrubber comprising a mounting plate having two guide rods secured to the'underside of the plate in spaced relation relative thereto and parallel to each other. A pair of brushes are slidably mounted on the guide rods with the latter being received in passages in the brushes. A compression coil spring is positioned in each passage about a guide rod and the springs urge the brushes toward one another. A motor is mounted on the upper face of the plate and has a vertical drive shaft extending through a central opening in the plate. Drivably mounted on the lower end of the shaft is an arm having rollers rotatably mounted on its ends and in engagement with'the backs of the brushes. As the shaft rotates, the brushes are moved apart against the influence of the springs and towardsone another by the springs. Thus, the brushes reciprocate. Provision is also made for feeding detergent to the bristles of the brushes.

9 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDwezz I912 3.685081 SHEET 1 BF 2 I IIIIMI/l/IA FRED A. WESEMANN 6 W? W ATTORNEYS INVENTOR PATENTEDwszzmn 3.685.081

O o 26 26 J J 3 3 INVENTOR FRED A. WESEMANN BRUSH AND RIJG SCRUBBER The present invention relates to a brush and rug scrubber and is concerned primarily with a novel arrangement of two reciprocating brushes and means for feeding a detergent to the bristles of the brushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At the present time it is known to provide a cleaning implement of the brush or scrubbertype which includes a pair of reciprocating brush elements which reciprocate under power. However, in the known devices the drive from the power source, such as the drive shaft of a motor, is mechanical and positive for both directions of movement of the brushes. It is believed to be desirable to have the movement of each brush element in one direction motivated by a yieldable source of power.

It is also believed that improved cleaning efiects are provided by a pair of brush elements which reciprocate under a pattern in which they are first driven apart, that is, in opposite directions, and then moved towards one another, also in opposite directions.

It has long been recognized as desirable to feed a detergent to the bristles of a brush, particularly when used for scrubbing purposes. However, in known arrangements for this purpose, and when the brush is of appreciable extent, the detergent feeding devices have not been effective to deliver detergent to the bristles over a wide area. Moreover, such arrangements have not been satisfactory in a cleaning device including a pair of reciprocating brush elements.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION With the foregoing conditions in mind, the invention has in view the following objects:

1. To provide a cleaning device of the brush or scrubber type which includes a pair of brush elements which reciprocate in opposite directions at the same time. Thus, in one half of a cycle of operation they are moved apart and in the other half together.

2. To provide, in a cleaning device of the type noted, a pair of reciprocating brush elements that are moved in one direction by a positive drive and in the opposite direction under yielding power.

3. To provide, in a cleaning implement of the character aforesaid, two reciprocating brush elements which are moved apart under power and against the influence of springs, and towards one another by the energy stored in the springs as an incident to the separation of the brush elements.

4. To provide, in a cleaning device of the kind described, new and improved means for guiding the brush elements during their reciprocating movements.

5. To provide, in a cleaning implement of the type aforesaid, a new and improved arrangement for feeding a detergent to the bristles of the brush elements.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved by providing a cleaning device including two brush elements of oblong shape. Each brush element comprises a back and bristles. The upper face of the back is formed with a trough which generally conforms to the contour of the back. Extending from the bottom of the trough through the back are a plurality of apertures. Detergent is delivered to the trough and fed through the apertures to the bristles. Each back is formed with a pair of guide passages.

Secured to the plate and spaced from the lower face thereof are a pair of guide rods. Each guide rod is received in a pair of guide passages, one in the back of one brush element and one in the back of the other brush element. A compression tension coil spring is positioned in each passage about a guide rod and these springs bias the brushes together, that is, towards one another.

An electric motor is mounted on the upper face of the plate and includes a vertical drive shaft extending through an opening in the plate. Drivably carried on the lower end of this shaft is an arm. Rotatably mounted on each end of this arm is a roller with the rollers engaging the backs of the brush elements which are held thereagainst by the tendency of the springs to expand. The mounting plate is also formed with holes which open onto the troughs in the brush backs. Provision is made to deliver detergent to these holes.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a cleaning implement embodying the precepts of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the implement of FIG. 1, being taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 with portions being shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a brush element per se which is illustrated on an enlarged scale and depicting portions of the guide rods associated therewith;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section through the brush element of FIG. 3, being taken about on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the mounting plate;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the brushelements and actuating means therefor and with the mounting plate omitted; and

FIG. 7 is a detailed vertical section through the arm mounted on the lower end of the motor shaft, being taken on the plane of the line 7 -7 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, add first more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, a brush element is therein illustrated and designated generally B. Two of these elements B are included in the implement as will be later described.

Brush element B comprises a back 10 and bristles l 1. Back 10 may be any appropriate material although a plastic such as polyethylene is indicated as the preferred material. It is of rectangular (oblong) shape being defined by end faces 12, side faces 13, top face 14, and a grooved bottom face 15. Bristles 11 are anchored in the grooves of bottom face 15 in a well known manner.

Top face 14 is formed with a shallow trough 16 which generally conforms to the contour of back 10, although its ends are curved. Extending from the bottom of trough 16 to bottom face are a plurality of apertures 17.

Extending between side faces 13 are two guide passages 18 which receive guide rods as will later become apparent.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a mounting plate is identified generally P. It also may be of any material having the required properties of strength and rigidity with a metal being indicated as preferred. Plate P is also rectangular having a width corresponding to the length of brush elements B and a length sufficiently greater than twice the width of a brush element B to allow for relative movement between two of these brush elements which are assembled on the underside of plate P.

Plate P is formed with four openings 19 all of which open onto troughs 16. Plate P is formed with a central aperture 20.

Each of a plurality of compression coil springs 21 (FIG. 4) has one end abutting a spring retainer 22 at the inner end of each passage 18 of one brush element and its other end engages a washer 24 held by a nut 25 that is secured onto a threaded portion 26 of a guide rod 27. The tendency of these springs 21 is to urge the two brush elements together with such movement being guided by guide rods 27 in passages 18.

Each guide rod 27 is secured to the underface of plate P by blocks 28 and screws 29, there being a block 28 at each side of plate P.

Mounted on the upper face of plate P is an electric motor 31 (FIG. 2). This motor includes a drive shaft 32 which passes through aperture 20. Keyed to the lower end of shaft 32 is an arm 33 (FIG. 7). Each end of arm 33 is bifurcated to provide recesses 34. A roller 35 is received in each recess 34 and rotatably mounted therein by a pin 36 and a bearing 37 which may be nylon. A side face 13 of back 10 of each brush element B is held against a roller 35 by springs 21.

A cover such as shown at 38 in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be attached to mounting plate P using slots 30 as anchorages. The particular details of the connection of cover 38 to plate P are not illustrated because connections of this type are well known and are not a part of the present invention.

Secured to cover 38 by an ear and pin hinge connection 39 is a handle 40 which may be tubular. Wires for conducting electricity to energize motor 31 may be housed in handle 40 in a well known manner. A receptacle 41 containing a detergent is mounted on handle 40 by brackets 42. Extending from the lower end of receptacle 41 is a flexible tube 43 the lower end of which terminates in a Y presenting two legs 44. Each leg 44 passes through an opening in cover 38 and the end of each leg 44 terminates in another Y providing two arms 45 the free ends of which are secured in the openings 19. An operating member for controlling the release of detergent from receptacle 4] is shown at 46.

OPERATION While the manner of using and mode of operation of the subject cleaning implement are believed to be obvious from the illustrations of the drawings and description of parts set forth above, they may be briefly outlined as follows:

Springs 21 maintain side faces 13 of the backs 10 of both brush elements in engagement with rollers 35.

With motor 31 energized shaft 32 and arm 33 are rotated. This results in the rollers 35 forcing brush elements B apart until arm 33 assumes a longitudinal position with respect to plate P. During this action rollers 35 function as cams. As the arm 33 begins to return to a transverse position nonnal to the aforesaid longitudinal position, springs 21 draw the brush elements B that openings 19 are always over portions of troughs continuously While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms, and devices illus- I trated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. In a cleaning device of the brush scrubber type a. a mounting plate,

b. a pair of guide rods mounted on the underside of said plate in spaced relation thereto and parallel to one another,

c. a pair of brush elements each including a back,

d. a pair of guide passages in each back and in which said guide rods are received,

e. a compression coil spring in each passage about the guide rod therein,

f. a spring retainer at the inner end of each passage in abutting relation with the spring thereon,

g. abutment means on each guide rod engaging the outer end of the spring about that guide rod,

h. a motor mounted on said plate and including a drive shaft extending through an opening in the plate,

i. an arm drivably mounted on said shaft below said plate, and

j. cams on the ends of said arms engaging said backs,

whereby said springs maintain said backs in engagement with said cams, and rotation of said arm causes the brush elements to first be moved apart against the influence of said springs and then together by the energy stored in said springs as they are compressed by the separating movement of the brush elements.

2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which the cams take the form of rollers joumalled in the ends of the arm.

3. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which the drive shaft is vertical.

4. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which each brush element is of rectangular shape and the plate is rectangular, having a length greater than the combined dimensions of the brush elements in the same direction.

5. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which the brush elements include bristles, together with means for feeding a detergent to the bristles.

6. The cleaning implement of claim 5 in which the detergent feeding means takes the form of a trough formed in the upper face of the back of each brush element, apertures extending from the bottom of said trough to said bristles and holes in the plate opening onto said troughs.

7. The cleaning implement of claim 6 together with a handle secured to the plate, a receptacle for detergent carried by said handle, and tubular connections between said receptacle and the holes in the plate.

8. In a cleaning implement of the brush scrubber type a. a pair of brush elements each including a back and bristles,

b. a mounting plate having top and bottom faces,

c. means for slidably mounting said brush elements on the bottom face of said plate and including guides for the sliding movement,

d. spring means exerting a tendency to move said brush elements towards one another, and

e. power means for moving said brush elements apart with a positive drive against the influence of said spring means, whereby said brush elements are reciprocated with a positive drive in one direction and a spring drive in the opposite direction,

f. means for feeding a detergent to said bristles.

9. The cleaning implement of claim 8 in which the power means takes the form of an electric motor on the top face of the plate and a drive shaft extending through and opening in the plate and having cams drivably mounted thereon and engaging said backs. 

1. In a cleaning device of the brush scrubber type a. a mounting plate, b. a pair of guide rods mounted on the underside of said plate in spaced relation thereto and parallel to one another, c. a pair of brush elements each including a back, d. a pair of guide passages in each back and in which said guide rods are received, e. a compression coil spring in each passage about the guide rod therein, f. a spring retainer at the inner end of each passage in abutting relation with the spring thereon, g. abutment means on each guide rod engaging the outer end of the spring about that guide rod, h. a motor mounted on said plate and including a drive shaft extending through an opening in the plate, i. an arm drivably mounted on said shaft below said plate, and j. cams on the ends of said arms engaging said backs, whereby said springs maintain said backs in engagement with said cams, and rotation of said arm causes the brush elements to first be moved apart against the influence of said springs and then together by the energy stored in said springs as they are compressed by the separating movement of the brush elements.
 2. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which the cams take the form of rollers journalled in the ends of the arm.
 3. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which the drive shaft is vertical.
 4. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which each brush element is of rectangular shape and the plate is rectangular, having a length greater than the combined dimensions of the brush elements in the same direction.
 5. The cleaning implement of claim 1 in which the brush elements include bristles, together with means for feeding a detergent to the bristles.
 6. The cleaning implement of claim 5 in which the detergent feeding means takes the form of a trough formed in the upper face of the back of each brush element, apertures extending from the bottom of said trough to said bristles and holes in the plate opening onto said troughs.
 7. The cleaning implement of claim 6 together with a handle secured to the plate, a receptacle for detergent carried by said handle, and tubular connections between said receptacle and the holes in the plate.
 8. In a cleaning implement of the brush scrubber type a. a pair of brush elements each including a back and bristles, b. a mounting plate having top and bottom faces, c. means for slidably mounting said brush elements on the bottom face of said plate and including guides for the sliding movement, d. spring means exerting a tendency to move said brush elements towards one another, and e. power means for moving said brush elements apart with a positive drive against the influence of said spring means, whereby said brush elements are reciprocated with a positive drive in one direction and a spring drive in the opposite direction, f. means for feeding a detergent to said bristles.
 9. The cleaning implement of claim 8 in which the power means takes the form of an electric motor on the top face of the plate and a drive shaft extending through and opening in the plate and having cams drivably mounted thereon and engaging said backs. 